Pinocytosis

In cellular biology, pinocytosis, otherwise known as fluid endocytosis and bulk-phase pinocytosis, is a mode of endocytosis in which small particles suspended in extracellular fluid are brought into the cell through an invagination of the cell membrane, resulting in a suspension of the particles within a small vesicle inside the cell. These pinocytotic vesicles subsequently fuse with endosomes to hydrolyze (break down) the particles. This process requires energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the chemical compound mostly used as energy in the majority of animal cells. In cellular biology, pinocytosis, otherwise known as fluid endocytosis and bulk-phase pinocytosis, is a mode of endocytosis in which small particles suspended in extracellular fluid are brought into the cell through an invagination of the cell membrane, resulting in a suspension of the particles within a small vesicle inside the cell. These pinocytotic vesicles subsequently fuse with endosomes to hydrolyze (break down) the particles. This process requires energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the chemical compound mostly used as energy in the majority of animal cells.